The Land Rover Defender follows the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen: both faced extinction at the turn of the millennium, both gaining wider and more profound popularity than previously known. The biggest difference between them is that the G-Class revived after a low bounce, while the Defender died and revived. This gives Land Rover two types of Defenders to celebrate, and here’s another huzzah for the original. Land Rover Classic has created a limited edition based on the original belief of the brand. It’s called the Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition, which builds on the Defender Works V8 from last year’s Trophy II Edition. The foundation is a wagon restored with parts from donor vehicles built from 2012 to 2016, powered by a 5.0-liter V8 with 399 horsepower, moved by an eight-speed automatic, upgraded with new suspension and LED lighting. Hallmark Bits credits co-founder Spencer Wilkes with the more managerial side of Land Rover’s beginnings while brother and co-founder Maurice was more about engineering. Spencer drove the Series IIa and early prototypes around his Lagan estate on Islay, the fifth-largest Scottish island, located off the southwest coast of the country. His Series IIa is on display in the Land Rover Classic collection. On one of his trips around the property, he was driving a Land Rover mule atop a heavily modified Rover car platform. When estate gamekeeper Ian Duncan saw the test vehicle, he asked Wilkins if he was driving a “Land Rover”. Hence the company’s name, the new Works V8 is inspired by the museum-piece Series IIa. It’s finished in Heritage Gray with matching wheel arches, a nod to the Mid Gray on the original, with a Limestone roof and steel wheels. The classic grille is joined by classic Land Rover badging from the front fascia to the mudflaps. A separate “GXC 639C” on the side recalls the license plate on Wilkes’ Series IIa. The cab fits premium ebony leather Defender seats in front of the instrument panel with heritage gray accents plus carpeted footwells. The Islay Woolen Mill created a special tweed that appears on the seats, door cards, arm rests and sun visors, its blue, purple, green and yellow colors emanating from the Islay landscape. Then there’s stowage space and cupholders trimmed in oak from Kilchoman Distillery whiskey barrels. Wilkes’ granddaughter Kathy Wilkes founded Kilchoman Distillery with husband Anthony in 2005. For the occasion, Kilchoman produced a special “639” whiskey to go with the Islay Edition Defender. Land Rover Classic will build 30 examples, 17 as the short-wheelbase 90, 13 as the seven-seater 110. Prices start at £230,000 ($290,100 US) for the 90, £245,000 ($309,000 US) for the 1100.
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